Tucked away on Capitol Hill’s 17th Ave E is one of the neighborhood’s favorite and maybe oldest haunts. You might have already guessed but we’re talking about Volunteer Park Cafe. The business sold last November and has been in the reinvention process since. After 8 months, things are finally back in business with new owners and a new identity.
Volunteer Park Cafe quietly reopened earlier this August and remains a local favorite for coffee, pastries, and good old hangs with friends. Now with new ownership comes some change. The new owner James DeSarno is a local architect and co-owner of Freehand Cellars, so he’s made some aesthetic changes while keeping favorite elements like the original counter and vintage “groceries” sign.
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Because of Desarno’s wine background, the new Volunteer Park Cafe also has more of a focus on wine. That means you can visit the cafe later in the day for a drink after work. But the cafe will still keep its main focus which is breakfast, coffee, and pastries. And in order to make sure their offerings are the best of the best, the cafe has brought on pastry chef Crystal Chiu and manager Melissa Johnson. Both Chiu and Johnson are former Canlis alums so you can expect all sorts of goodness.
If you’re looking for somewhere new to try this week stop at Volunteer Park Cafe and show them some love. It’s been a constant in the North Capitol Hill neighborhood for decades and its return is very welcome. You can learn more by clicking below. Enjoy folks!
Volunteer Park Cafe
Where: 1501 17th Avenue East
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 8 am-7 pm
